Whether at outside centre or his ­better known role as inside centre, Barritt is one of the first names on the England coach’s teamsheet.

But Lancaster is struggling to choose ­between Manu Tuilagi or ­impressive newcomer Billy Twelvetrees in his ­midfield.

For Tuilagi to hit the heights when he returns at 13, England need Barritt at 12.

And for Twelvetrees to have done so at 12 against Scotland and Ireland, they ­needed their star man at 13.

“You always want to play a key role in a side and I do like to think of myself as very adaptable,” said Barritt.

“When we have the attacking element, I can play a big part in that.

“But I’m also a calm voice, leading the defence when matches are tight.

“Whether for the conditions or the ­opposition, you have to be willing and able to change how you play, how you execute your strategy.

“We’ve shown against Scotland we can play in an attacking style and against Ireland that we are ­willing to grind out a win if needs be.

“I’ve been very satisfied with my form going through the Six Nations.

“But, as in every position, there’s ­intense ­competition, intense pressure to get into the side.

“That’s never changed and as long as I’m involved, I’m a very happy man.” When Martin Johnson was ­England manager, the then-Saracens boss Brendan Venter was left choking with rage when word got back to him that Barritt was too small.

Johnson insisted something had been lost in translation, which figures ­considering Barritt, 26, is 6ft 1ins and weighs in at 15 stone.

And he has now become England’s ­defence controller, a role that proved crucial as England held off Ireland, with the wind and rain whipping into the Aviva Stadium, 11 days ago.

The Saracens man could also not give a stuff where Lancaster picks him – just so long as he does.

“To play for England, I would quite happily pack down at tight-head prop,” said Barritt.

“If I’m unappreciated, that’s part of rugby and perception in sport.

“As long as you have the respect of the people you are playing for, stay true to yourself and keep working and ­grinding, eventually other people will see it.”

Barritt is only too aware that France are desperate to smash ­unbeaten England’s Grand Slam dream after losing their first two Six Nations games for the first time since 1982.

But he is determined they will feel the full force of a resurgent England side when they come face to face.